Chuck Baldecchi, Head of School, Charlotte Latin School

In an interview with Invest:, Chuck Baldecchi, head of Charlotte Latin School, discussed the school’s commitment to leadership development, wellness, and diversity, alongside its initiatives in technology, experiential learning, and strategic growth planning to meet Charlotte’s evolving educational demands.

What were the most significant achievements for Charlotte Latin School over the last academic year?

Our biggest accomplishment has been advancing two major initiatives. First, we hired a director of student leadership to implement a new segment of our strategic plan focused on leadership development. While Charlotte Latin has a strong reputation for fostering leadership, we’re now formalizing it with a TK-12 curriculum that integrates leadership principles at every grade level. This approach provides a clear progression: what students learn in fifth grade will build into sixth, seventh, and so on. We’ve even created a “Portrait of the Latin Leader,” available online, to define what it means to lead Latin. With a dedicated director, we’re building this curriculum with purpose, ensuring students receive consistent leadership training.

Additionally, we completed a major renovation of Thies Auditorium — its first upgrade in 25 years. Now a state-of-the-art facility, it reflects our commitment to the arts. We’re also launching a mini-capital campaign for athletics to keep our facilities competitive and support our students’ comprehensive development.

How does your institution approach character development and wellness in ways that align with evolving educational trends?

Our values align closely with current trends, especially in leadership and character development. We emphasize cultivating curious learners who don’t just memorize facts but make connections and synthesize information. We want them to be dynamic communicators, articulate in conveying their beliefs. These skills are introduced in kindergarten and refined through high school.

We also seek conscientious thinkers who approach ideas thoughtfully and consider the impact on others, with traits like humility, courage, and resilience. These values support our goal of developing well-rounded students.

Wellness is another area we are addressing. While stress is part of life, we see it as an opportunity for growth if students have the tools to manage it. At Latin, we create scenarios that challenge students, with faculty support to help them reflect and improve, so they’re prepared to handle similar challenges on their own.

One specific step has been asking students to put away phones during school hours. Since implementing this, the change has been remarkable. The campus is lively, with students interacting face-to-face, which we see as part of our commitment to wellness. Research shows the negative effects of social media, and this shift has noticeably fostered a healthier school environment.

How are you integrating technology and innovation into the curriculum?

Charlotte Latin has long led in technology integration. Nearly 20 years ago, we established a dedicated science, technology, and art building with a Fab Lab — a space for hands-on learning and creativity — well before STEAM became popular. We’re proud to be the only high school in the United States accredited by MIT’s Fab Lab Academy, underscoring our commitment to cutting-edge learning.

A recent initiative is implementing a T1 line separate from the main network, allowing students to experiment and learn without risking broader system security. This “responsible hacking” environment lets students safely advance their technical skills.

We’re also preparing students for the expanding role of AI and technology certifications. While AI raises questions about ethics and academic integrity, our strong honor code reassures us. We teach students to use AI responsibly as a tool, not a threat, ensuring they understand its benefits and produce their own work.

These initiatives allow us to blend technology with our traditional values, preparing students well for the future.

How is Latin addressing the growing trend toward experiential and outdoor learning?

Experiential learning is essential for us. Our engineering department and Fab Lab offer extensive hands-on learning with resources like a maker space and laser printers, enabling students to engage directly with technology and creative projects.

We also offer an outdoor education program with an on-campus challenge course, providing opportunities for students to build teamwork, resilience, and leadership skills. Additionally, we’re developing more cross-curricular classes to help students connect learning across subjects. For instance, our community engagement experiences address real issues in Charlotte, encouraging students to contribute to solutions and make a tangible impact rather than viewing service as a one-way act.

This approach supports our broader leadership initiative. We believe every student is a leader within their community, beyond traditional roles like team captains or student council. It’s about embracing responsibility as a citizen of Charlotte and understanding leadership through our engagement in the local and global community.

What initiatives has Latin implemented to ensure a welcoming environment for all?

Diversity has significantly grown, starting in kindergarten, where over 30% of new students are students of color. As students progress to middle and high school, diversity increases further. To support students transitioning from public to private school, especially post-COVID, we’ve developed programs to bridge academic gaps, particularly in writing and math, helping new students adjust and thrive.

We’re also committed to economic diversity. Latin’s financial aid program meets families’ needs without requiring loans, and a dedicated fund ensures all students can fully access academics. Aid covers expenses like sports fees, band equipment, transportation, and meals, making Latin accessible and inclusive.

Additionally, we’ve expanded our endowment, now over $55 million, with about $10 million earmarked for scholarships, including the Sunny Scholars program, which supports middle school students. We’re also committed to outreach across Charlotte neighborhoods to ensure access and smooth transitions for all incoming students.

Looking ahead, what are the top priorities for Latin over the next few years?

A top priority is enhancing our curriculum and meeting the goals outlined in our strategic plan. Beyond that, as Charlotte continues to grow rapidly, we’re considering how Latin should adapt to meet the increasing demand for high-quality education in the city. We expect our applicant pool to grow, and we want to carefully plan for the right school size in the coming 10 to 15 years.

This requires strategic investment in infrastructure to support potential growth, ensuring that we can serve both current families and newcomers to Charlotte. Many new residents are relocating from outside North Carolina, so expanding our reach to meet the needs of a more diverse, growing population is a long-term goal. We’re committed to thoughtful, sustainable growth that preserves our community’s values while opening doors to new families.